Philadelphia Police Department Archives

February 10, 2021

Police officer facing DUI, other charges after crash into house

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA — The person who crashed his vehicle into a home over the weekend is apparently a Philadelphia police officer who now faces…

January 8, 2021

Officer sentenced for possession, distribution of child porn while on duty

The feds say some of the victims were infants. PHILADELPHIA — A 20-year Philadelphia Police Department veteran has been sentenced to spend the next…

December 29, 2020

Video: Wanted for stealing booze on Christmas Eve

NORTHERN LIBERTIES — Four men are accused of spending their Christmas Eve not celebrating the holiday, but stealing from a nightclub. Philadelphia police say…

July 2, 2020

Philly officer, 2 relatives charged with robbing 15 gamblers

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia police officer is under arrest, accused of taking part “in the robbery and assault of multiple victims at a North…

June 26, 2020

Philadelphia releases crime prevention and violence reduction action plan

Friday morning, Philadelphia Police Comm. Danielle Outlaw announced a plan to prevent crime and reduce violence in the city. The idea includes District Attorney…

May 22, 2020

Swastika spray-painting suspect identified, arrest warrant out

CENTER CITY — Philadelphia police have announced who they’re looking for after officers responded to reports of vandalism along four blocks of Market Street….

May 21, 2020

ATV, dirt bike crackdown nabs dozens of riders, vehicles

PHILADELPHIA — ATVs and dirt bikes are illegal in Philadelphia, and police are taking action against people riding them during warmer weather or with…

January 7, 2020

Video: Man shot in stomach around dinnertime on Christmas

NORTH PHILADELPHIA — This whole crime consisted of five gunshots and Philadelphia police released all 13 seconds of surveillance video, in hopes it’ll help…

January 6, 2020

Video: Suspect wanted for beating man to death

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help identifying the suspect in the murder of a 39-year-old man by blunt force trauma. The…

January 6, 2020

Philadelphia hires ‘Outlaw’ as next police commissioner

PHILADELPHIA — The next commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department will be coming from Oregon. Mayor Jim Kenney (D) appointed Chief Danielle Outlaw of…

December 15, 2019

2nd try in elderly woman’s Christmas Eve murder gets 1st degree conviction

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — The man who shot an 81-year-old woman to death in her corner store on Christmas Eve morning, back in 2016, has been…

December 15, 2019

Police sergeant charged with tampering, assault in June arrest

PHILADELPHIA — Yet another member of the Philadelphia police force is in trouble with the law. The department reports last Wednesday, Dec. 11, Sgt….

December 15, 2019

Dad charged after 18-year-old son shoots, kills twin brother

Charges against twin who fired deadly shot dropped. OVERBROOK — A father is now charged with the shooting death of his 18-year-old son, rather…

November 30, 2019

Wounded police officer treated and released, suspect critical and charged

WISSINOMING — The suspect in last week’s shooting of Philadelphia police officer Donald Revill has been identified as 54-year-old Walter Farrell from Frankford, and…

November 21, 2019

Homicide detective, SEPTA employee relative arrested

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Police Department homicide detective is in trouble with the law, and so is a relarive who works for SEPTA. The…

November 21, 2019

Narcotics officer arrested after statements against 2 people ‘disproven by video evidence’

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia Police Department narcotics officer is in trouble with the law. The department reports Officer Charles Myers was arrested at about…

November 19, 2019

Suspect in 2 teen sexual assaults arrested

OXFORD CIRCLE — A man wanted for sexually assaulting two teenagers who’d gotten off the same bus at the same stop, days apart, is…

November 19, 2019

Woman charged with 4-year-old girl’s murder

PHILADELPHIA — The woman who was supposed to be watching a four-year-old girl was instead arrested and charged with her murder. The District Attorney’s…

November 6, 2019

Video from inside victim’s home released to help catch killer

RHAWNHURST — Philadelphia police released video in hopes of catching the person who killed a man in his home, late Monday night, Nov. 4….

October 31, 2019

Man found naked, drinking charged with shooting his family of 4 to death

WEST PHILADELPHIA — A wellness check led to Philadelphia police finding a family of four murdered in their home. Now, the “naked male later…

October 31, 2019

Suspect in 2 sexual assaults against teens identified, wanted

OXFORD CIRCLE — The Philadelphia police Special Victims Unit has identified a suspect after two teenagers reported being sexually assaulted under similar circumstances, earlier…

October 29, 2019

Cops mean candy on Halloween night!

PHILADELPHIA — Kids of all ages may want to keep an extra eye out while trick-or-treating on Thursday night, always for safety but especially…

October 29, 2019

Man charged with shooting infant believed connected to two-year-old’s killing

HUNTING PARK — An 11-month-old boy may not be able to recover after being shot while he was a passenger in a car. Philadelphia…

October 25, 2019

Shootings, including killing of 2-year-old girl, connected; 2nd suspect charged

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police say the men arrested for murder, nine counts of attempted murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and Violation…

October 24, 2019

Police chief inspector charged with indecent assault against other officers

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia police chief inspector, just two levels down from commissioner, is facing serious criminal charges and his victims were allegedly younger…

October 23, 2019

1st suspect in 2-year-old girl’s killing charged, 2nd suspect caught

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police have confirmed “a second male suspect is in custody” after Sunday’s deadly shooting of a two-year-old girl inside her Kensington…

October 22, 2019

Arrest in weekend shooting that killed two-year-old girl

CHESTER, Pa. — A “male suspect” is in custody after Sunday afternoon’s triple shooting into a home that killed a two-year-old girl. Late Tuesday…

October 22, 2019

Video: Man wanted after 2 teens sexually assaulted under similar circumstances

OXFORD CIRCLE — Two teenagers, 18 and 16 years old, got off a SEPTA bus at the same spot, five days apart. They told…

October 17, 2019

Police officer arrested, suspended for stalking, harassment

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Police Department announced it has arrested one of its own officers. Wednesday, the Internal Affairs Division took Police Officer Robert…

October 11, 2019

Columbus Day Weekend events mean Philadelphia fun, street closures

You may want to bookmark this page since some of the events last into November PHILADELPHIA — Many Philadelphians are looking forward to a…

October 1, 2019

Video: Man tried several abductions, sexual assaults in 90 minutes

FAIRMOUNT — Philadelphia police want to catch a man who spent a recent Sunday morning violently trying to kidnap and sexually assault women. In…

September 6, 2019

Police release name of officer, name and condition of man he shot

UPDATE — Philadelphia police revealed some new information on the shooting that happened earlier this week in Kensington, including the names of the people…

September 3, 2019

Man accused of shooting father to death back from Massachusetts and charged

BUSTLETON — The man arrested in Massachusetts for shooting his father in Philadelphia has been extradited and is charged with murder. Philadelphia police had…

September 3, 2019

Police officer shoots person with knife walking toward him after warnings

The shooting happened after the suspect reportedly tried to reach into an SUV driver’s window, causing a commotion. KENSINGTON — A person holding a knife…

August 27, 2019

No more probation, charges; Meek Mill off the hook

PHILADELPHIA — Rapper Meek Mill is no longer facing any criminal charges, for the first time in 12 years. Tuesday, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced…

August 22, 2019

State Reps. thank Ross, Philadelphia Police replace him on web

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Philadelphia delegation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is thanking former Police Commissioner Richard Ross “for his nearly 30 years of service…

August 22, 2019

Police: Man seen on video after deadly stabbing under arrest

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA — A murder suspect who Philadelphia police say was seen on surveillance video cameras walking several blocks away from the scene is…

August 22, 2019

New website by police, loved ones could open unsolved murder cases, get arrests

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Police Department launched a website as a new way of asking for tips and information about unsolved murder cases. It’s…

August 21, 2019

Details of the harassment, discrimination suit that led Police Comm. Ross to resign

PHILADELPHIA — The three people involved in the Philadelphia Police Department leadership change all spoke publicly for the first time, Wednesday morning. Also, details…

August 20, 2019

Police Comm. Richard Ross quits amid harassment, discrimination allegations against officers

PHILADELPHIA — The city’s police commissioner suddenly resigned from his job, Tuesday, less than a week after taking part in negotiations during the standoff…

August 19, 2019

Woman charged with murder, fire from almost 2 years ago

OVERBROOK PARK — It took more than 23 months, but Philadelphia police announced Monday they’ve made an arrest after a fire, and a man…

August 17, 2019

Police shooting suspect facing charges over Wednesday standoff, drugs

PHILADELPHIA — The suspect in Wednesday’s standoff in Nicetown-Tioga that lasted more than seven hours, with six police officers getting shot, has officially been…

August 16, 2019

See the 6 police officers shot in the line of duty

PHILADELPHIA — Friday, the Philadelphia Police Department released photos and assignments of the six officers shot while trying to serve a narcotics warrant in…

August 14, 2019

Suspect surrenders after 6 officers shot, 3 more injured; ‘Miracle’ police all out of hospitals

NICETOWN-TIOGA — The dangerous situation in this area of North Philadelphia, centered a block from Broad Street, ended with the suspect surrendering peacefully at…

August 12, 2019

Historic human sex trafficking conviction; Victims were addicted to opioids

PHILADELPHIA — A Kensington man has been convicted by a jury of human trafficking for the first time in a Philadelphia case involving adult…

August 6, 2019

Search on for mom without custody who took ‘endangered’ newborn

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia police Special Victims Unit is asking for help finding a woman who may be in the city with her newborn…

July 31, 2019

Accused murderer arrested months after deadly shooting

EAST GERMANTOWN — A man is under arrest, five-and-a-half-months after Philadelphia police say he committed murder. The deadly shooting happened back on Monday, Jan. 28,…

July 28, 2019

Man wanted for multiple cases of sexual assault, robbery

EAST KENSINGTON — Philadelphia police investigators say they’ve figured out a man’s pattern of sexual assault and robberies on women that happened for more…

July 27, 2019

Video: Gunman wanted for hitting cars and a business

NICETOWN-TIOGA — A man walking along a sidewalk took out a gun and fired several shots, in the middle of the afternoon. Now, Philadelphia…

July 24, 2019

Video: Man wanted for taking Starbucks money bag from counter

CENTER CITY — A man is wanted for stealing from a Starbucks on the corner of Broad and Arch streets, a block north of…

July 24, 2019

4 arrested, charged with killing man in April robbery

EASTWICK — Four people are now under arrest — facing murder, robbery and other charges — after a deadly shooting that happened three months…

July 24, 2019

Video: Man gets into garage, helps himself to bicycle

QUEEN VILLAGE — Surveillance video is giving a close look at a man casually walking around a quiet street in the middle of the…

July 22, 2019

Found: ‘Endangered’ woman with schizophrenia

UPDATE — Wednesday morning, Sept. 11, police announced Margaret McNichol has been located. POINT BREEZE — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

July 22, 2019

Police: Couple hid in Target twice until everyone left before smashing, stealing

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA — What can happen inside a big box store when it’s closed for the night? Not necessarily deliveries and stocking, but a…

July 22, 2019

Found: Woman with PTSD missing since New Year’s Day

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, Nov. 12, police announced Jacqueline Crawford has been located. WEST PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

July 16, 2019

Police: Burglar strikes home twice over long holiday weekend

GERMANTOWN — A man managed to get inside a home twice over the four-day-long Independence Day weekend, but was only successful burglarizing it one…

July 16, 2019

Found: Teen missing for weeks, suffering from depression

UPDATE — Monday morning, July 22, police announced Nahquierah Martin has returned home. It is the policy of ThePhillyFiles to take down pictures of…

July 16, 2019

Video: Man sent from bus to hospital after attack by 2 other passengers

NORTHERN LIBERTIES — A man riding a SEPTA bus overnight ended a block early for one commuter after he was attacked, robbed and taken…

July 15, 2019

Feds: Escaped bank robber told teller he had a bomb

NORTHERN LIBERTIES — A bank robber struck a PNC Bank branch, late Friday afternoon, and now both the FBI and Philadelphia Police Violent Crimes…

July 12, 2019

Found: Boy, 16, last seen more than 2 weeks ago

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, Aug. 13, police announced Tyler Williams has returned home. It is the policy of ThePhillyFiles to take down pictures of…

July 12, 2019

Video: Convenience store robber jumps over counter — barely

FELTONVILLE — Working the overnight shift at a convenience store isn’t the safest job, and one cashier may have gotten the scare of his…

July 12, 2019

Found: Woman, 19, was considered ‘endangered’

UPDATE — Wednesday morning, July 24, police announced Starr Singleton has returned home. BREWERYTOWN — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a missing woman…

July 12, 2019

Video: Search for armed robbers who struck man sitting in minivan

BUSTLETON — A man sitting in his minivan lost several items and a lot of money when Philadelphia police say two men approached the…

July 12, 2019

Found: Girl, 16, missing for 5-1/2 months

UPDATE — Monday morning, Nov. 25, police announced Sarah Combs has been located. It is the policy of ThePhillyFiles to take down pictures of…

July 10, 2019

Video: Man wanted for physically assaulting woman in attempted abduction

GAYBORHOOD — The suspect wanted for an attempted abduction over the weekend has been identified, and so has the car he was driving, but…

July 9, 2019

Found: Man considered missing and ‘endangered’

UPDATE — Friday morning, July 12, police announced Walter White has been found. EAST GERMANTOWN — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a…

July 9, 2019

Resident confronts 3 inside home after break-in

QUEEN VILLAGE — Somebody home in the middle of the afternoon got a big surprise and luckily, that’s all they got. Philadelphia police say…

July 8, 2019

Video: Package theft happens when it’s not holiday season

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA — It’s annoying, happens more often during the holidays, but most people won’t be safe from it unless they happen to be…

July 5, 2019

Man charged with aggravated assault of mail carrier

KINGSESSING — There was an arrest, a day after a United States Postal Service carrier suffered an aggravated assault while on the job. Philadelphia police…

July 2, 2019

Man charged with raping teen he met on dating app

MANAYUNK — The man accused of raping a teenaged girl he met on a dating app earlier the same day faces numerous charges. Philadelphia…

July 2, 2019

Police: Victim said he didn’t know he was shot

FAIRHILL — A report of a person with a gun and of a shooting victim had Philadelphia police going to the area of Front…

June 29, 2019

Found: Girl, 14, missing for more than a week

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, July 2, police announced Taylah Jones has been found. It is the policy of ThePhillyFiles to take down pictures of…

June 29, 2019

Found: Man missing from University City shelter

UPDATE — Tuesday morning, July 2, police announced Taylah Jones has been found. UNIVERSITY CITY — Philadelphia police are asking for help finding missing…

Presidents DayMonday, February 15, 2021

Presidents Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. It was originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, but the holiday became popularly known as Presidents Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.

PurimThursday, February 25, 2021

The jolly festival of Purim starts tonight, on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as recorded in the Book of Esther. Purim means “lots” in ancient Persian, and Haman had thrown lots to determine which day he would carry out his diabolical scheme. One of the observances is a feast, which often includes wine or other intoxicating beverages.

Daylight Saving TimeSaturday, March 13, 2021

“Spring forward” tonight at 2am, the second Sunday in March. The idea of daylight saving was first conceived by (who else? Philadelphian) Benjamin Franklin to reduce electricity usage by extending daylight hours. People in about 70 countries observe Daylight Saving, but they don’t in Hawaii and most of Arizona. It’s also a good time to change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and flashlights, and remove expired items from your refrigerator and first aid kit.

St. Patrick’s DayWednesday, March 17, 2021

The Feast of Saint Patrick is both a cultural and religious celebration held on March 17, the traditional date of death of the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick lived from about 385 to 461, but the day was only made an official Christian feast day in the early 1600s. It commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Also, the Lenten restrictions on eating, and drinking alcohol, are lifted for the day.

Beginning of SpringSaturday, March 20, 2021

At the spring (or vernal) equinox, days and nights are approximately 12 hours long, with day length starting to increase and night length starting to decrease. As the season progresses, the Earth’s axis increases its tilt relative to the sun and the hemisphere warms significantly, causing new plant growth to “spring forth,” giving the season its name. “Springtime” can also refer to the ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal and regrowth.